Patent EA-004641-B1 (EA)
Title: Hydrocyclone
Inventor: ROGERS BRIAN LESLIE
IPC: B04C11/00
Filed: 2002-03-25
Abstract: 1. A hydrocyclone which includes a main body having a chamber therein, the chamber including an inlet section, and a separating section, the separating section having an inner side wall which tapers inwardly away from the inlet section, the hydrocyclone further including a feed inlet feeding a particle bearing slurry mixture into the inlet section of the chamber, an overflow outlet at one end of the chamber adjacent to the inlet section thereof, and an underflow outlet at the other end of the chamber remote from the inlet section of the chamber, the hydrocyclone further including an overflow outlet control chamber adjacent to the inlet section of the chamber of the hydrocyclone and in communication therewith via the overflow outlet, the overflow outlet control chamber including a tangentially located discharge outlet and a centrally located air core stabilising orifice which is remote from the overflow outlet. 2. A hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein the stabilising orifice, overflow outlet and underflow outlet are generally axially aligned. 3. A hydrocyclone according to claim 2 wherein the overflow outlet control chamber has an inner surface which is generally in the shape of a volute for directing material entering the overflow outlet control chamber from the separation chamber towards the discharge outlet. 4. A hydrocyclone according to claim 3 wherein the volute extends around the inner surface for up to 360 degree . 5. A hydrocyclone according to claim 4 wherein the inlet section of the chamber has an inner surface which is generally in the shape of a volute, the volute being ramped axially toward the converging end of the separation chamber and extends around the inner surface for up to 360 degree . 6. A hydrocyclone according to claim 5 further including a vortex finder at the overflow outlet of the separation chamber. 7. A hydrocyclone according to claim 6 wherein the stabilising orifice comprises tapering side walls which extend into the control chamber. 8. A hydrocyclone according to claim 7 wherein the orifice has a generally conical shaped inlet section. 9. A control unit which is suitable for use with a hydrocyclone, the hydrocyclone including a main body having a chamber therein, the chamber including an inlet section and a separating section, the separating section having an inner side wall which tapers inwardly away from the inlet section, a feed inlet for a feeding mixture into the inlet section of the chamber, an overflow outlet at one end of the chamber adjacent the inlet section and an underflow outlet at the other end of the chamber remote from the inlet section of the chamber, the control unit including a control chamber having a discharge outlet. a communication port operatively connected to the overflow outlet and a stabilising orifice which is remote from the overflow outlet. 10. A control unit according to claim 9 wherein the overflow outlet control chamber has an inner surface which is generally in the shape of a volute for directing material entering the overflow outlet control chamber from the separation chamber towards the discharge outlet. 11. A control unit according to claim 10 wherein the volute extends around the inner surface for up to 360 degree . 12. A control unit according to claim 11 wherein the stabilising orifice comprises tapering side walls which extend into the control chamber. 13. A control unit according to claim 12 wherein the orifice has a generally conical shaped inlet section. 14. A method of stabilising the air core of a hydrocyclone when in use, the method including the steps of providing a chamber above the overflow outlet of a hydrocyclone and arranging for discharge from that chamber through a discharge outlet and incorporating an air core stabilising orifice in a wall of that chamber remote from the overflow outlet.